Congress leader and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday released his party’s manifesto just two days ahead of the first phase of the Chhattisgarh elections. The ruling party in Chhattisgarh unveiled its manifesto titled ‘Bharose ka Ghoshna Patra 2023-28’ at six different places – Raipur, Rajnandgaon, Jagdalpur, Bilaspur, Ambikapur and Kawardha.
Baghel released the manifesto at Rajnandgaon from where BJP leader and former Chief Minister Raman Singh will be contesting.
In its party manifesto, the Congress promised farm loan waiver, free electricity up to 200 units, Rs 500 subsidy on cooking gas cylinders to women in Chhattisgarh.
Speaking at the launch of the manifesto, CM Baghel said farmers will get Rs 3,200 per quintal for paddy, including input subsidy currently being given under the Rajiv Gandhi Nyay Yojna to paddy cultivators.
Tenu leaf collection will be done at Rs 6,000 per standard sack in place of the existing Rs 4,000 and tendu leaf collectors will additionally get an annual bonus of Rs 4,000, he said.
Baghel said, “A Mahtari Nyay Yojana will be launched for mothers and sisters,” under which a subsidy of Rs 500 per cooking gas cylinder will be given to women of all income groups.
The CM also announced that if the party is voted to power, a caste surevy will be conducted.
“Caste-based census would be conducted. A caste-based census would be conducted for the scheduled caste, tribal castes, backward classes, general category and minorities. This will not just provide a political benefit to those castes that have remained backwards in these classes, but the government will also make a special policy for them and give them social and financial benefits. The caste-based census is necessary,” he said.
The Chhattisgarh elections will be held in two phases – November 7 and 17 and counting of votes will be on December 3.